Bab 17: Chapter 17: Heartfelt Victory
Li Yang's heart raced as the cards were laid on the table. His set of twos, which had once given him such hope, now seemed almost insignificant compared to Zhao Ming's full house. However, it was Lan Xi's unrevealed hand that worried him the most. What if she had a stronger hand? What if she was hiding a better full house or even four of a kind?
Gazing across the table, their eyes met. In Lan Xi's eyes, Li Yang saw a mixture of determination, hope, and vulnerability. It reminded him of the countless times they had shared, the quiet moments, the unspoken words. But this was a competition, and he had to focus.
Taking a deep breath, Li Yang decided to play his final hand strategically. He remembered an old poker adage, "Play the player, not the cards." He began by feigning uncertainty, shuffling his chips nervously, and shooting quick glances towards Lan Xi. This had the desired effect; the room buzzed with whispers, speculating his next move.
After what felt like an eternity, Li Yang made his play. He pushed a large stack of chips to the center, deliberately avoiding all eye contact. Zhao Ming smirked, thinking he had the upper hand. Lan Xi, however, remained inscrutable, showing no emotion.
As the dealer called for the final bets, Zhao Ming confidently slid all his chips to the center, going all-in. Lan Xi hesitated for a brief moment, then pushed her stack forward, joining the all-in.
Li Yang took a moment to collect himself, knowing that this decision would determine everything. Finally, with a deep breath, he announced, "All-in." The room erupted in whispers and gasps.
One by one, they revealed their hands. Zhao Ming, with his full house, seemed confident. Li Yang turned over his cards, revealing his set of twos. All eyes turned to Lan Xi.
With a heavy heart, Lan Xi laid down her hand. To everyone's shock, it was a flush, strong, but not enough to beat Zhao Ming's full house. The room held its collective breath, waiting for the dealer to declare the winner.
In a surprising twist, the dealer pointed out that Li Yang's set of twos, combined with the community cards, formed a better full house than Zhao Ming's. The room was stunned. Against all odds, Li Yang had won.
The celebration was short-lived, as Li Yang's gaze returned to Lan Xi. The victory was bittersweet. He had secured his place in the Phoenix Group, but at what cost? The weight of the decision pressed down on him. The competition had ended, but the real challenges were just beginning.
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